Maximizing Food Storage in (Pantry) Kitchen Cabinets & Drawers
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No pantry, no problem. If you lack a walk-in pantry, you will need to utilize your kitchen cabinets and drawers. Are you are looking for ideas to maximize your food storage in cabinets (& drawers)? Continue reading to get my favorite tips.
I’ve never had a walk-in pantry and the closest I came was a small converted closet. I have experimented with many different organizing tools over the years – baskets and bins, special racks, over the door hooks, turntables, trays, risers, etc. Adjustable shelves in my Ikea cabinets has also been a game changer.
Assess available space in pantry cabinets & drawers...
Do you have one cabinet or a few to store food stuffs? Any drawers? How big are they? Take measurements before buying any new organizing accessories and shop your home first.
- What do you really need?
- How much food do you like to keep on hand?
- Do you keep a minimum or are you a food hoarder?
- Or somewhere in between?
Do you like to have a prepper stockpile of food? Find another place where they can be stored such as a basement, a storage room, or extra set of shelves. Keep your kitchen cabinets for more regularly used foods and rotate from your backstock.
Organize pantry cabinets into categories or zones..
Some categories you might have are:
- Baking supplies.
- Breakfast items.
- Snacks
- Kids’ stuff.
- Lunch items or specific dinner items like taco kits or “Hamburger Helper”.
- Pasta, rice and other dry goods.
- Canned food. – vegetables, soups, meats, fruit, etc.
- Condiments.
- Oils, vinegars & spices.
- Etc.
To decant or Not to Decant...
Dry goods can be decanted into air-tight containers that help prolong their freshness. Clear containers also allow you to see how much you have and when you’re getting low. Use the same type of coordinating containers, baskets and bins for a cohesive look. Also don’t forget to label your containers. Food info & expiration dates can be taped to the bottoms or backs too.
As I shared in a previous blog, a friend gave me some of the glass octagonal cannisters when her mother was downsizing. I already had a few and have thrifted several more. The clear glass with metal lids were also thrifted or from a dollar store. The baskets, originally from Ikea, hold extra back stock and packages to refill the cannisters when needed. Over the years I have added to my collection of baskets and trays from thrift stores.
Maximizing space for pantry cabinets...
For deep shelves, it’s important to organize items in a way that prevents losing them at the back.”
I have found that using a tray can mimic a drawer that is easy to pullout to access everything. Using a turntable can also help access items you use regularly. Putting my backstock baskets behind the cannisters being used also keeps items from being “lost” or forgotten.
Vertical space can be utilized with a shelf riser. Some stacking bins or a wire basket that slides onto a shelf can also help maximize vertical space. Keep in mind how accessible things need to be.
Keep most used items easily accessible...
If you are vertically challenged this is the most important tip, although it applies to everyone. Keep your coffees and other hot beverages near your coffee maker or kettle. I also keep my coffee filters in a small wire basket on adhesive hooks inside my “coffee” cupboard. If your children eat cereal for breakfast, help foster their independence by putting it in a lower cabinet. Keep oils and spices near your stove or where they will be used, if possible.
Make the most of drawers...
Drawer dividers and trays are great for organizing smaller items such as spices which I have used for my back up spices. Drawers are great to use for canned goods too, because they are easy to get to and you can see expiry dates on the tops.
Leave empty space...
Finally, when organizing your kitchen cabinets and drawers, consider leaving a bit of empty space. This allows flexibility if you don’t always decant things or put them away immediately and gives some breathing room.
You can watch the video below...
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